In the midst of an outstanding 2012-13 season, the Boilers received a jolt when the father of head basketball coach Steve Salisbury passed away.

Assistant coach Andy Saey filled Salisbury’s shoes on the sideline, leading the Boilers to conference wins over Fulton and Morrison.

“It was a tough week for all of us. I’m just happy that we have such a good group,” said Saey. “It really fell on their shoulders.”

In addition to Saey and the KHS coaching staff answering the call of Salisbury’s absence, captains Dayton Ince and Matt Gustafson played an equally important role in helping their coach through a tough time and guiding the basketball team.

The two captains assumed roles not normally thrust upon teenagers.

“Dayton and Gus were great leaders,” said Saey. “We just wanted to get through it as a team. I really pushed the togetherness and they responded. It was a roller coaster of emotions and we just kind of did it together. That was kind of the running theme.”

“It’s easy for me to step in when you have a team like this and leaders like we do,” added Saey.

Following Tuesday’s overtime win at Erie — Salisbury’s second game back as head coach — Dan Pearson of ILLOWAFCA interviewed the KHS coach, Ince and Gustafson and put together a video on how the team coped with last week’s events.

Salisbury’s dad passed away Jan. 8, the night his Boilers were set to host Fulton in Three Rivers Conference play.

“We had a game that night and I went to the school and called Dayton and Matt in and explained to them what had happened,” Salisbury said in the interview with Pearson. “They are kind of like sons to me. I’ve coached them all four years they’ve been in school. They know me well and I know them real well. They had a team meeting on their own and told the rest of the team what happened and they wanted to go out and win one for myself and my father.”

Ince, Gustafson and the Boilers delivered on that mission to win one for coach and his dad, dispatching the Steamers 81-50.

“After the game they were all text messaging me. To them it might have been a small thing, but for me it was something huge that I’ll never forget,” said Salisbury.

The team’s support didn’t end with the win over Fulton. They arrived at calling hours as one — a show of support that wasn’t lost on Salisbury and his family.

Page 2 of 2 - “When they came through, I was so proud as their coach because I have five brothers and sisters and when they saw my kids come through and how they responded to me, they were overwhelmed,” said Salisbury.

“We knew we had to do something for him because he’s our role model. We really look up to him. I love him to death and I’ll do anything for him,” said Ince.

“We just tried to help out however we could,” said Gustafson. “It was hard, especially going to the calling hours. You just have to go with your team. You have to be a leader and let everyone else follow.”

“I’ve always been proud of them because they play so hard for me and they’re all really good kids,” said Salisbury, “but to see the way they’ve gotten behind me and my family just makes me even more proud of them.”